I’ve been reading through 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie B. Flynn lately as Ironworks continues through a series on spiritual gifts. (Pastor Todd, I’ll return this book to you someday, I promise!) 
On the whole, Flynn’s writing exemplifies the hokey, pragmatic style that plagues much evangelical writing (why is it that we bury the wisdom of God in the foolishness of our own prattling?)–each chapter has at least three case-in-point anecdotes. However, in this latest chapter on the gift of mercy, Flynn writes with uncharacteristic acuity. You can feel his passion for the church to engage in acts of mercy as he quotes this political science professor at length.
The most important contribution almost all of us make in this world is in our interpersonal relations. Our personal acts of kindness and concern have probably a hundred times more actual impact on the lives of others than our advocacy of ‘enlightened’ social ideas.
College professors, for instance, may talk endlessly and learnedly about social reforms. Yet for all but a very, very few, I believe the only part of their lives that really makes much difference to the real lives of others is the way they treat their wives or husbands, their children, their neighbors, their students in and out of class–and the general moral example they set. The world would probably not be one whit the worse if 95 percent of all the books and learned articles were never written and most of the lectures never delivered. But each time an individual performs an act of kindness, someone’s life is brightened at least a little. Worsworth wisely spoke of ‘that best part of a man’s life, his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.’
If the principal impact of almost all political activists is found not in their political ideas and activities but in their personal relations, then should not the churches largely concentrate on helping all of us make the most of our private lives and relationships? This is where the action really is; this is the crucial battle ground for 98 percent of us 98 percent of the time.”
–Reo M. Christenson, “The Church and Public Policy,” © 1973 Christianity Today
We do not train to be merciful here, mercy is for the weak. A man confronts you in the street he is your enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy.
-karate kid
er. sorry … couldn’t help myself after seeing the title of the entry
LOL. Dude, that mean-dojo guy was so scary:
“If you opponent cannot /breathe/, he cannot hit you!”
And there was all that teen angst between Miyagi and Daniel-son. And no Karate Kid movie was complete without Journey playing over the credits.
Sarah and I should watch those again…
Wax on. Wax off. I think Miyagi was very merciful to Daniel-son. Most people woulda beat him down and like Spliter to the Turtles. Hiya!
Social reform is more than 2% of the battleground because it is essential to helping groups of people, as opposed to the individuals towards whom we can show small acts of kindness. The problem isn’t intrinsic to social reform itself. It rests instead with academia’s focus upon talking and debating such matters, rather than acting on them.
I agree with Tom that social change through large scale political activism has a great effect on society. I also detect a hint of anti-intellectualism in that quote. It often seems that in America the more time you spend thinking/studying/writing/working in a university, the less valued your opinions are.
I’m reminded of the inactivity of the Peoples Front of Judea in “Life of Brian”.
Perhaps professors that do nothing all day but challenge their students can claim credit at least in part for the endeavors and successes of those they inspire?
To go the experiential route: the irony with film school professors is that, “Hey, if you’re so good at what you do to teach it, why aren’t you out making the big bucks?” There are, however, a small handful of teachers who actually do create great work on a small scale, and, as a result, they tend to be the ones everyone consistently likes, respects, and learns the most from. How can you trust someone who tells in great detail of a place they’ve never been?